GMA-7 and GMA News TV are Highest Rating Networks for Royal Wedding Coverage!

The Philippines has no royal family, but a wedding is a wedding and Filipinos, romantics at heart, will skip their usual TV fare to watch a royal couple say ‘I do.’
The proof? Over 4 million Filipinos in Mega Manila alone were tuned in yesterday to the British Royal Wedding of Prince William of Wales to commoner Catherine Middleton, based on AGB Nielsen overnight ratings.
And after weeks of heavy Royal Wedding promotions from practically all the TV networks, two ratings winners emerged.
From 5 to 8 in the evening—the royal caravan towards Westminster Abbey to the bride’s breathtaking reveal in her Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen dress, throughout the wedding ceremony proper, and till the couple’s joyful carriage ride as husband and wife—GMA-7 and GMA News TV Channel 11 were the no. 1 and no. 2 networks in terms of ratings, based on AGB Nielsen data for Mega Manila.
GMA-7 hit 30.7 household shares for this time band. GMA News TV, just a two-month old news and documentary channel, followed GMA-7, with 22 household shares for the same period.
GMA News TV was the first free TV Channel to broadcast the wedding live, starting as early as 3 pm with its Royal Wedding: March to the Altar coverage, after first breaking the biggest news of the day: Merceditas’ Gutierrez announcement of her resignation as Ombudsman.
Normally the fourth-ranking free TV network, GMA News TV saw its ratings climb to a historic high on the Royal Wedding day, at a certain point leading all the free TV networks in ratings.
 By 6 pm, GMA-7 ratings picked up with GMA’s special coverage of the same event, becoming the leader for the rest of the evening.
GMA News and Public Affairs has been preparing for its combined coverage for months, sending top anchors Jessica Soho, Vicky Morales and Connie Sison to London for first-hand reports on the royal festivities. GMA-7 and GMA News TV’s no. 1 and 2 ratings prove, once again, that GMA News and Public Affairs is the Filipinos’ most trusted source of news and information.

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Gloria Romero leads family drama Munting Heredera cast!

GMA-7 offers its first family-oriented drama on primetime this year with the launching of Munting Heredera.

Playing the lead role of Doña Anastacia, a rich widow in search of her "munting heredera," is no less than multi-award winning actress and one of the original Queens of Philippine cinema, Ms. Gloria Romero, who now makes her television debut with the Kapuso network.

Joining Ms. Gloria Romero are some of today's biggest names in drama: Mark Anthony Fernandez, Camille Prats, Katrina Halili, Neil Ryan Sese, Ynez Veneracion, Leandro Baldemor, Gabby Eigenmann, Luz Valdez, Joyce Ching, Kristal Reyes, Kristoffer Martin, and Asian Television Awards best actor Mr. Roderick Paulate, who himself began his notable career as a child actor.

The program also introduces three talented young girls Mona Louise Rey, Kyle Daniel Ocampo, and Barbara Miguel. They all went through a rigorous audition process before clinching the roles of Jennifer, Michelle, and Calilla.

While each girl has a distinct story of her own, only one of them is the true heiress to the huge wealth of Doña Ana.

Under the direction of esteemed filmmaker Maryo J. delos Reyes, the search for the true 'Munting Heredera' begins May 9 on GMA Telebabad.

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Sisters Toni & Alex is on the cover of Yes!

Is there any sibling rivalry going on between showbiz sisters Toni and Alex Gonzaga? After all, the two belong to rival networks: Toni is one of the most talented showbiz personalities in ABS-CBN, while Alex is slowly building a name for herself at TV5. This May, YES! reveals whether or not a rivalry exists as the magazine visits Toni and Alex in their home in Taytay, Rizal.

Born to a middle-class family, the Gonzaga sisters learned at an early age the value of hard work. Toni tells YES!, “I remember before we never owned a house, it was always an apartment. Bata pa lang kami, pag magche-church kami… lagi kaming bubulungan ng Daddy’t Mommy namin, ‘Ipag-pray ninyo, bahay at lupa.’ Hindi ko pa naiintindihan ‘yon [noon]… na-gets ko lang no’ng high school ako… [na] nangungupahan lang kami.”

Striving hard to enter showbiz, she faced countless rejections on her way to where she is now. Her father served as her mentor, who would offer a word of advice after every letdown. “’Anak, hindi tayo nandito para makipaglabanan ng ganda. Nandito ka dahil sa talento mo,’” Toni recalls him saying.

Then in 2006, Toni found her footing in show business and they were able to buy their own home. The five-year old residence of the Gonzagas in Taytay, Rizal is a dream come true, a product of hard work and perseverance. YES! features exclusive photos of the home’s common areas like the kitchen, living room, and dining room, as well as the newly-renovated pool area and backyard.

Even if Toni and Alex now have their own bedrooms and walk-in closets, Alex likes sleeping in Toni’s room while Toni also helps herself to Alex’s clothes. “We grew up na isa lang ‘yong room namin,” Toni says, “So, kahit no’ng may separate rooms na kami, nami-miss namin ‘yong company no’ng isa’t isa. Kasi before, we used to talk about our dreams before going to sleep… pinag-uusapan ‘yong mga gusto namin talaga. Tapos up to now, pag natutupad ‘yong mga pangarap namin, pinag-uusapan namin sa gabi.”

Aside from taking a look at the sisters’ bedrooms, YES! also takes a look at their walk-in closets. Alex’s walk-in closet, in particular, is filled with Chanel, Goyard, and Louis Vuitton bags, as well as lots and lots of clothes. She tells YES! about becoming a shopaholic because she used to envy her older sister Toni when they were younger. “Siyempre kasi siya ‘yong mas ibinibili ng damit, dahil nga nag-aartista siya. Ang gagawin ko, sa mall, uniiyak ako, pag hindi ako ‘binibili… Kaya ito, no’ng tumanda ako, ‘tapos lalo na no’ng kumikita na ako, talagang bili ako!” she says.

See more of the Gonzaga home and find out more about Toni and Alex’s showbiz beginnings as well as the love-hate relationship that exists between the sisters in the 21-page feature.

The May issue of YES! is now available in newsstands, bookstores and supermarkets nationwide.

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GMA 7 bares new shows for May 2011!

GMA 7 unveils six top-notch programs and offers the exclusive airing of this year’s most highly-anticipated boxing match — all in the month of May.

The month-long television event is the Kapuso Network’s way of thanking its viewers not just in Mega Manila, but also in the entire country.

Beginning today, viewers will get to watch a Koreanovela that created a craze in Korea. Replacing The Baker King is Secret Garden, which features the tandem of Hwang Jini lead star, Ha Ji Won, and My Name is Kim Sam Soon leading man, Hyun Bin. Witness how two very different people get to understand and admire each other through a magical phenomenon that switched their bodies. Secret Garden debuts today right after I Heart You Pare on GMA Telebabad.

On May 8, GMA 7 airs the exclusive coverage and other behind-the-scene footages of the most awaited face-off between Pinoy Boxing Champ Manny Pacquiao and his opponent Shane Mosley. From the events leading to and following the actual fight, Kapusos from all over the globe will be one with the Pound-for-Pound Champ in what could be his most challenging match to date.

The launching of the Kapuso Network’s pioneering family drama for the year, Munting Heredera, comes next. Bannered by Gloria Romero, the original program tackles universal issues on love, family and life. Joining her are Roderick Paulate, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Camille Prats, Katrina Halili, Mona Louise Rey, Kyle Daniel Ocampo and Barbara Miguel. Munting Heredera airs beginning May 9.

GMA also brings to TV the ’80s movie originally starred by Snooky Serna and written in comics by Elena Patron. Blusang Itim premieres on May 16 on GMA Dramarama sa Hapon. Set in the dazzling yet cruel world of fashion, the series depicts a young woman’s struggle because of her physical appearance. Kylie Padilla, Frank Magalona and Winwyn Marquez continue the legacy of their parents as they topbill Blusang Itim with Carl Guevarra. Also in the cast are Gary Estrada, Rita Avila, Jackielou Blanco and Marissa Delgado.

Andres de Saya comes to television, too, with Cesar Montano and Iza Calzado reprising the roles of Vic Vargas and Gloria Diaz. The show will make Saturday nights more fun as it tells of how the macho man, Andres, turns into an under de saya once summoned by his darling, Matilde. Andres de Saya airs on May 28.

Starting May 30, the afternoon drama block will launch Sisid. Jackie Rice, Dominic Roco and JC Tiuseco will take viewers underwater in the story about pearl-diving, greed and innocent love. With scenes shot in the beaches of Batangas, the series revolves around a precious pearl believed to give riches and true love to its owner.

The stage is set for the premiere of Amaya on May 30. Marian Rivera breathes life to the challenging role of a woman blessed with superpowers, which she will use to guide her people at a time dominated by men. Aside from being the first ever epic-serye, the show offers a well-researched storyline, amazing visual effects and first-class production design. The cast also includes Glaiza de Castro, Sid Lucero, Mikael Daez and Rochelle Pangilinan.

Another Koreanovela to premiere is Playful Kiss, a story based on a popular Japanese manga. It tells of how a beautiful yet clumsy girl (played by Jung So Min) possibly gets a chance with a perfect but cold-hearted guy, portrayed by Kim Hyun Joong with the help of one playful kiss.

My Chubby World premiering May 14 is a kiddie show hosted by Renz Valerio, Zyrael Jestre, Daniela Jessica Amable and Gianne Cutler. Every Saturday, the hosts will give a thematic presentation on a set of Top 7 things that kids are interested in.

Also to watch out for is Sabadabadog, an educational show for children set to premiere soon to be hosted by Tonipet Gaba together with four friendly mascots.

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